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I'm reminded of the following:
- I really should be more tolerant of others' choices of engine placement.
- You never know if you're gonna like something until you try it. Twice.
- Never say never.
- You can't change your vote on a Rennlist pole.
My wife drives a low-mileage '99 cabrio 996 and I have two 928s (a driver and a pampered pet).
I love taking the 996 along the country roads, its a beautifully balanced car; the 928s do feel grander and more special (although they are 20 years older than the 996 along with obvious mechanical differences).
I got lucky, I bought these cars just as the 928 and 996 were exiting their maligned phases. People are now realising what the savvy knew about these models, when well-maintained they are extraordinary cars.
I'm also a collector of retro-rally cars (Minis, Lancias, etc).
Will be getting into the Lotus world next.
Last edited by newcollector; 12-08-2016 at 07:15 AM.
Reason: (added pics)
I was never much interested in the 911s until the 991 came out. I had a chance to drive a 997 Carrera 4 and a 991 Carrera back-to-back, and I could see that the 911 had finally evolved into a modern car.
I was never much interested in the 911s until the 991 came out. I had a chance to drive a 997 Carrera 4 and a 991 Carrera back-to-back, and I could see that the 911 had finally evolved to a modern car.
I didn't realize that "modern" had become a synonym for "fat," Heavy," and "devoid of soul."
There are as many different opinions and experiences on this subject as there P-car drivers.
My experience (and the first thought that came to me), after driving a Porsche for the first time many years ago, was "now I get it, Porsche apparently builds a little bit of 'hot rod' into every car it produces." That was eighteen years ago and that car was a Porsche 928.
Since then, that same thought/feeling has come back repeatedly after driving other Porsche models (911's of various vintages, 986/987, Cayennes, and 970 series Panameras). Other people have probably had different experiences and different expectations about what they wanted from a particular Porsche model.
When friends who are non-Porsche owners (but car lovers never-the-less) ask about what P-cars are like, I usually say, "they come ready to go right out of the box," and they seem to understand what I mean by that. You can always do more to them to get better handling, more horsepower, etc., but for the most part, they come ready to go just as they are, especially if you are looking to just have some fun.
As far as the 928 vs. the 911; they are two different cars altogether, both with their strong points and not many weaknesses, and both have a little bit of "hot rod" built right into them.
I was never much interested in the 911s until the 991 came out. I had a chance to drive a 997 Carrera 4 and a 991 Carrera back-to-back, and I could see that the 911 had finally evolved to a modern car.
There's not much difference in the 996v2 from 2005 to the 997. Mostly the interior, and some modest gearing changes. The change from 996v1 was in response to so many complaints about the close similarity to the Boxster, so Porsche tried to get away from that. Of course, the 997 went back to oval headlamps, with a modest bulge in the fender line. Meh, I have to be honest that the headlamp design of the 996 doesn't bother me at all. But - many long time P people are very frustrated by the look.
I didn't realize that "modern" had become a synonym for "fat," Heavy," and "devoid of soul."
(Pardon air-cooled guy scorn)
The die-hard 911 fans have said for years that the 928 didn't have the soul or whatever of the 911; that's nothing new.
But if you compare the 928 to the 911s over the years, it wasn't until the 991 came out that a 911 was more civilized.
In the 997, you'd go over rough pavement, and the steering wheel would shake and vibrate to to the point where it's distracting. On the same rough pavement, the 991 steering would be vibration free and focus on useful feedback.
Similarly, accelerating hard on a somewhat uneven freeway on-ramp unsettled the 997, while the 991 didn't show any significant reaction (and as a result could go much faster).
After many 928 and 911 variants, I don't make comparisons. They're both unique and awesome designs that are peppered with shortcomings....and we keep buying them.
Currently focusing on the wonderfully under-rated models!
The die-hard 911 fans have said for years that the 928 didn't have the soul or whatever of the 911; that's nothing new.
But if you compare the 928 to the 911s over the years, it wasn't until the 991 came out that a 911 was more civilized.
In the 997, you'd go over rough pavement, and the steering wheel would shake and vibrate to to the point where it's distracting. On the same rough pavement, the 991 steering would be vibration free and focus on useful feedback.
Similarly, accelerating hard on a somewhat uneven freeway on-ramp unsettled the 997, while the 991 didn't show any significant reaction (and as a result could go much faster).
I always believed the 928 was a special car and although to me my GTS is a great ride it isn't an air cooled 911. Different cars for different purposes. The point of these cars is they do respond to all the imperfections of the road and feed that back. Driving a friends new 991 Turbo S is amazing nothing phases it but that is what I find it is lacking. Great for 20 minutes worth of insane fun but after that it becomes a yawn. I can drive any modern car and have the same effect minus some of the speed. I recently picked up a Boxster GTS and IMO the platform is better than a base 991 and far much more fun. Although how you set up these newer cars makes a huge difference. I drove a 991S and a 991 GTS back to back and to be honest one was boring the other a lot more fun and reminiscent of the older cars. My boxster with the sport package is one of the few modern cars I have driven that are fun to drive and offer me almost as much interaction as my air-cooled 911's and 928. In the end the Boxster GTS is there because it has modern conveniences and is easy to drive daily but would be first to go over any of the others.
I have a couple of nice air cooled 911s
1990 964 Cup. No 48/50
1991 964 RS
1992 928 GTS
1993 968 CS
All have their good points and all are very different to drive. It is very obvious the big v8 in the front after driving the 50:50 CS. For comfort and power the 928 puts a smile on your face.
Which did you start with I guess is another question. I see more and more 911 owners begining to appreciate the 928 but there are a few 928 owners that have grown to appreciate the 911.
12-08-2016, 06:57 AM
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